Suppose the demand and supply curves of salt are given by:
(a) Find the equilibrium price and quantity.
(b) Now, suppose that the price of an input that used to produce salt has increased so, that the new supply curve is qs = 400 + 3p
How does the equilibrium price and quantity change? Does the change conform to your expectation?
(a) Suppose the government has imposed at ax of Rs 3 per unit of sale on salt. How does it affect the equilibrium rice quantity?
qD = 1000 – p- (1)
qs = 700 + 2 p –(2)
(a) At equilibrium
qd = qs
1000 - p = 700 + 2p
300 = 3 p
P = Rs100
qd = 1000 - 100 [Substituting the value of p in equation (1)]
= 900 units
So, the equilibrium price is Rs 100 and equilibrium quantity is 900 units.
(b) New quantity supplied '
qs = 400 + 2p
At equilibrium qd = qs
1000 - p = 400 + 2p
600 = 3p
200 = p
p = Rs 200
Prior to the increase in the price of input, the equilibrium price was Rs
100, and after the rise in input's price, the equilibrium price is Rs 200.
So the change in the equilibrium price in Rs 100 (200 - 100).
qd = 4000 - 200 [Subtitling the value of p in equation (1)]
= 800 units
The change in the equilibrium quantity is 100 units (i.e. 900 - 800 units).
Yes, this change is obvious, as due to the change in the input's price,
the cost of producing salt has increased that will shift the marginal cost
curve leftward and move the supply curve to the left. A leftward shift in
the supply curve results in a rise in the equilibrium price and a fall in the
equilibrium quantity.
(c) The imposition of tax of Rs 3 per unit of salt sold will raise the cost of
producing salt. This will shift the supply curve leftwards and the
quantity supplied equation will become
ys = 700 + 2 (p - 3)
At equilibrium
Yd=Ys
1000 - p = 700 +2 (p - 3)
1000 - p = 700 +2p – 6
306 =
p = Rs 102
Substituting the value of p in equation (1)
yd = 1000 – p
yd = 1000 – 102
yd = 898 units
Thus, the imposition of tax of Rs 3 per unit of salt sold will result in an
increase in the price of salt from Rs 100 to Rs 102. The equilibrium
quantity falls from 900 units to 898 units.
How will a change in the price of coffee affect the equilibrium price of tea? Explain the effect on equilibrium quantity also through a diagram.
When do we say that there is an excess demand for a commodity in the market?
Suppose the price at which the equilibrium is attained in exercise 5 is above the minimum average cost of the firms constituting the market. Now if we allow for free entry and exit of firms, how will the market price adjust to it?
Suppose the market determined rent for apartments is too high for common people to afford. If the government comes forward to help those seeking apartments on rent by imposing control on rent, what impact will it have on the market for apartments?
When do we say that there is an excess supply for a commodity in the market?
Explain through a diagram the effect of a rightward shift of both the demand and supply curves on equilibrium price and quantity.
How are equilibrium price and quantity affected when income of the consumers
a) Increase
b) Decrease
Explain market equilibrium.
Explain how price is determined in a perfectly competitive market with a fixed number of firms.
In what respect do the supply and demand curves in the labor market differ from those in the goods market?
Explain the concept of a production function
What would be the shape of the demand curve so that the total revenue curve is?
(a) A positively sloped straight line passing through the origin?
(b) A horizontal line?
Discuss the central problems of an economy.
What are the characteristics of a perfectly competitive market?
What do you mean by the budget set of a consumer?
What is the total product of input?
From the schedule provided below calculate the total revenue, demand curve and the price elasticity of demand:
Quantity |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Marginal Revenue |
10 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
What do you mean by the production possibilities of an economy?
How are the total revenue of a firm, market price, and the quantity sold by the firm related to each other?
What is budget line?
Will a profit-maximising firm in a competitive market produce a positive level of output in the short run if the market price is less than the minimum of AVC? Give an explanation.
Distinguish between a centrally planned economy and a market economy.
When does a production function satisfy increasing returns to scale?
A firm earns a revenue of Rs 50 when the market price of a good is Rs 10. The market price increases to Rs 15 and the firm now earns a revenue of Rs 150. What is the price elasticity of the firm’s supply curve?
Suppose there was a 4 % decrease in the price of a good, and as a result, the expenditure on the good increased by 2 %. What can you say about the elasticity of demand?
Consider a market where there are just two consumers and suppose their demands for the good are given as follows:
Calculate the market demand for the good.
p |
d1 |
d2 |
1 |
9 |
24 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
3 |
7 |
18 |
4 |
6 |
16 |
5 |
5 |
14 |
6 |
4 |
12 |
What do you mean by ‘monotonic preferences’?
The market price of a good changes from Rs 5 to Rs 20. As a result, the quantity supplied by a firm increases by 15 units. The price elasticity of the firm’s supply curve is 0.5. Find the initial and final output levels of the firm.
Explain price elasticity of demand.
What is the law of variable proportions?